Political, Socio-Cultural, Economic and Trade Relations between the USSR and Turkey in 1945-1960

Article excerpt

Abstract

Relevance of the research problem is due to the fact that Russia's relations with one of its nearest neighbors-Turkey is an important element of Russian foreign policy strategy, and the basis for cooperation between the two countries was the coincidence of their common goals, namely the providing of security zone of the Black sea Straits which were essential for the interests of both the USSR and Turkey. The purpose of the article is to identify the political, socio-cultural, trade and economic relations between USSR and Turkey in the period from 1945 till1960, which are based on the analysis of the sources and literature. In this regard, the paper investigates the background of the Soviet-Turkish cooperation, studies political relations between the USSR and Turkey in the years 1945-1960; analyzes the Soviet-Turkish trade and economic relations, as well as takes into consideration the cultural relations between the Soviet Union and Turkey in the period from 1945 till 1960 years. The results of this paper can be used in general works on the history of Turkey preparation, as well as in the preparation of courses for historical faculties of higher educational institutions of professional education.

Diplomatic history of the postwar period is the subject of research for many domestic and foreign scientists. These studies are focused on the study of the relations of the USSR with the neighboring countries, where Turkey also plays an important role.

In recent years diplomatic, political, economic, cultural and trade ties with Turkey, which occupies an increasingly prominent place among Russian business partners are intensified. Essentially important role was always given by Turkey to foreign economic relations, which took the main load in the development of its economy. At all stages, except for the war and postwar time periods, one of the main business partners of Turkey was Soviet Russia, the USSR and the Russian Federation.

The basis for cooperation between the two countries was the coincidence of common goals, such as the security zone providing of the Black sea Straits that are essential for the interests of both the USSR and Turkey (Babintsev 1977; Galiakbarova, 2006; Kuznetsova 1961; Shemyakin, 2003; Smirnov, 1972). Thus the addressing to this problem is of particular importance as Russia's relations with one of its nearest neighbors-Turkey is an important element of Russian foreign policy strategy.

In this context, it seems highly relevant to follow the development of bilateral political, trade-economic and cultural relations and to analyze their role in the politics and economy of both countries, and their significance for Russia and Turkey people mutual rapprochement.

2. Methodological Framework

2.1 Theoretical and Empirical Methods

The theoretic-methodological ground of the study was based on the principle of historicism, involving the study of any phenomenon in the specific historical conditions and relationships, identifying its historical perspective, consideration of the events and phenomena in the unity of past, present, and future (Kalimullin, 2014, 2015). In accordance with this principle the historical process is taken into consideration as natural, targeted developing and allowing the probability of qualitatively new structures and systems emergency (Kalimullin, 2015).

2.2 Sources

It should be noted that historian who studies this topic, can open favorable opportunities of many published documentary materials using. During the preparation of this article a wide range of published documents was reviewed, which can be divided into two groupsby their origin and functional purpose. The first group is specially prepared and implemented by the Commission for the publication of diplomatic documents as a Annals of USSR foreign policy (Annals of USSR foreign policy, 1983), as well as documents of the Ministry of USSR Internal Affairs(Foreign policy of the Soviet Union, 1949-1971), a number of official publications, which only on Soviet-Turkish relations questions contain much published materials, such as diplomatic correspondence, the results of the negotiations and discussions of the two countries officials, notes, memoranda. …